REPUBLIC – Wilbur-Creston handed Republic its first loss of the season, 53-42, in a non-league game Friday.

The Wildcats controlled the paint with three players at 6-3, said Republic coach Dan Groom, whose team fell behind 13-0 at the start of the game.

“Unforced turnovers killed us,” Groom said, whose team fell behind 29-16 at the half due to Wilbur-Creston’s full court pressure.

“We pulled to within four points halfway through the fourth,” Groom said. “We just couldn’t quite get over the hump.”

Republic (6-1 overall, 4-0 league) is at Cusick on Saturday.

“We have yet to play up to our potential against taller teams for the full 32 minutes,” Groom said. “We seem to come out tentative and not believe that our pressure and quickness can overcome superior height.”

TONASKET – Chelan used its size to turn back Tonasket, 50-48, in a league game Friday.

“Chelan came out with more intensity and willingness on defense,” Tonasket coach Agustin Pedregon said. “We battled back into the game and had opportunities, but turnovers were a factor down the stretch. On a positive note, we were there until the end and had a chance to tie it.”

The Goats won the battle on the boards, 31-20. The Tigers finished with 4 offensive rebounds compared to 13 extra chances for Chelan.

The teams shot about the same – Chelan was 18-50 (36 percent) and Tonasket was 17-45 (38 percent).

“It came down to free throws as a deciding factor,” Lake Roosevelt coach Matt Simpson said. “If we would have made just a few more free throw and one or two less turnovers, the game would have been ours.”

Pateros made 14 of 19 free throws compared to 17 of 30 for the Raiders.

“We were really frustrated after having blown the crucial league game at Curlew the night before,” Republic coach Dan Groom said. “Our press was very effective as was our standard quick zone defense that they couldn’t solve.”

“I was very proud of our defensive and offensive scoring effort, but we had way too many turnovers,” Groom said.